How Dalit Christians Are Using Social Media To Challenge Caste Oppression
DELHI — In India, caste oppression is an insidious and persistent reality that continues to affect millions, even in communities that formally reject caste divisions. The Christian community, which upholds the belief in equality before God, is not exempt from this social inequality.
Dalit Christians, in particular, face discrimination and exclusion, even within church spaces. However, a growing number of young Dalit Christians are turning to social media to amplify their voices and challenge the caste-based oppression they endure.
Through the use of Instagram posts, X threads and Facebook stories, these activists are documenting their experiences, speaking out against injustice and reclaiming their narrative in the fight for equality.
While Dalit is a term used for to denote untouchables and outcasts, who represented the lowest stratum of the castes in the Indian subcontinent, two prominent Christian activists, Aleena Mary Antony and Shalin Maria Lawrence, highlights the intersection of caste, religion and gender. Their activism, largely conducted through social media platforms, offers insight into the complex and nuanced issues that Dalit Christians like themselves face in India today.
From poetry to political commentary
Antony, a poet and activist, has become one of the most recognized voices in the Dalit Christian digital activism movement.
Originally using Instagram to share her poetry, Antony never anticipated that her account would evolve into a platform for political commentary and social justice activism. Today, her Instagram page has close to 60,000 followers — many of whom are drawn to her personal experiences as a Dalit Christian woman and her unapologetic critiques of caste discrimination, both within and outside the Christian community.
“I never thought of myself as an activist,” she said. “I started this page just to share my poems and connect with readers. But soon, I began speaking from my lived experience as a Dalit Christian woman, and that’s when everything changed.”
Her initial posts, which were primarily in Malayalam, resonated with people who were seeking poetry that addressed issues of identity and culture. However, as her audience grew, so did the reach of her political views. Lawrence’s activism was born out of a painful realization: The discrimination she faced as a Dalit Christian was being silenced.
“I was being harassed online by right-wing, casteist people who tried to deny my experiences,” she said. “They accused me of fabricating my reality, calling it ‘in my mind.’”
Despite the intense backlash, she refused to back down.
“I decided to use the harassment as an opportunity to start a conversation,” she added. “I realized that silence wasn’t an option. I had to speak up.”
By addressing the hate directly, Antony was able to pivot her platform from sharing poetry to engaging in meaningful discussions about casteism, religion, and the experiences of Dalit Christians.
Her activism also centers on a critical issue: The exclusion of Dalit Christians from affirmative action policies.
“Dalit Christians are severely underrepresented in affirmative action benefits,” she said. “We are not considered part of the Scheduled Castes or Tribes, which means we don’t have access to the same legal protections or social support that our Hindu counterparts do.”
Lawrence’s work emphasizes the unique intersection of caste, religion and gender in the lives of Dalit Christian women. While women in India face oppression in various contexts, Dalit Christian women face the compounded challenges of caste-based discrimination within both their communities and religious institutions. Aleena uses her platform to highlight these experiences and call for change.
“Social media has given me the power to reclaim my narrative,” Antony said. “It allows me to speak freely, connect with like-minded individuals, and challenge the traditional narratives around caste and Christianity. It’s a place where I can share my truth and encourage others to do the same.”
Another fierce advocate
Lawrence, another prominent Dalit Christian activist, also uses social media as a tool to raise awareness about caste-based violence and the marginalization of Dalit Christians.
However, for Lawrence, the road to activism has been fraught with challenges, particularly the misogynist nature of online violence. As a human rights defender, her activism is focused on advocating for Dalit women’s rights, exposing the silence within the Dalit community itself and challenging the normalization of casteism in both religious and secular spaces.
“What bothers me the most is the lack of support from my own community,” she said. “Dalit women often don’t support each other, and they tend to select their topics of activism carefully, avoiding the real issues that Dalit people face.”
Her frustration with this selective activism mirrors a larger problem within the Dalit rights movement — one where the voices and struggles of Dalit women are frequently sidelined.
“Being a Dalit woman is not about going to five-star hotels and talking about Dalit issues. It’s about facing real oppression and standing up for the marginalized,” she added.
Online spaces, while providing a platform for activism, have also made Lawrence a target of intense trolling and harassment.
“I’ve received threats, abusive messages, and even people morphing my pictures,” she said. “Even when I report these incidents to the police or social media platforms, nothing gets done. The casteist ecosystem online is very strong, and these platforms don’t care about protecting activists like me.”
Despite these obstacles, Lawrtence said she remains committed to using her platform to shed light on issues of caste-based violence and social exclusion.
“Social media has allowed me to amplify my message and connect with others who feel the same way,” she said. “There are many people who support this cause, even if we’re targeted by the trolls. We have to keep pushing forward.”
Her activism is particularly concerned with addressing the systemic silence within the Dalit community regarding caste-based violence.
“Dalit activists should stand up for each other,” she said. “We should be fighting the real problems, not playing it safe or looking for easy victories. That’s the only way we can bring about real change.”
Caste Discrimination and Dalit Christians
While both women are at the forefront of using social media to highlight the struggles of Dalit Christians, their activism exists within a broader context of caste-based violence and systemic exclusion.
Dalit Christians in India face significant challenges linked to the intersection of caste, religion, and politics. According to the 2011 Census, Dalit Christians make up approximately 2.3% of India's population, yet their struggles remain largely invisible in political and social discourse.
Caste-based practices persist in religious institutions, despite Christianity's formal rejection of caste. Dalit Christians are also excluded from affirmative action benefits available to Dalits in Hindu communities. This stems from the fact that caste status is typically determined by religious identity, and Dalit Christians—often seen as converts from lower-caste Hindu groups — are marginalized by both the Hindu and Christian communities.
In recent years, violence against Dalit Christians has also increased. A report by the United Christian Forum revealed a sharp rise in such incidents — with 731 cases of violence against Christians (many involving Dalit individuals) reported in 2023 alone. These included physical assaults, threats, and intimidation, particularly targeting those who speak out against caste discrimination or religious intolerance.
Despite these challenges, both women remain steadfast in their mission. Through their digital platforms, they are not only raising awareness but also creating space for others to share their stories and demand justice.
Their efforts exemplify the transformative power of social media in amplifying voices that have long been silenced. By challenging caste oppression and advocating for greater visibility of Dalit Christians, they are helping to reshape public discourse. Their work demonstrates how digital activism can empower marginalized communities to reclaim their narratives and push for meaningful change.
While the road to equality remains long and challenging, the rise of Dalit Christian digital activism marks a vital step toward a more inclusive and just society.
Lawrence said her work is a call to action for Dalit women to reclaim their voices.
“I want young Dalit women to lead political movements, fight against Dalit atrocities and take up activism,” she added. “Their voices matter, and they have the power to create magic even from their own homes.”
Rishabh Jain is an independent journalist based in Delhi. Follow him at @ThisIsRjain.
Nyshma Noir is a film producer and editor based in Mumbai, India.